Kirby in Action but England U19s Suffer Elimination

Nya Kirby played the full 90 minutes of England's European Championship U19s match on Monday but it was disappointment for the side as they were beaten by France and miss out on a semi-final place.

The defeat saw England finish third in their group as France took the match 5-0 on a disappointing night for the Three Lions, who went into the game needing only a draw to progress to the semi-final stage of the tournament.

England nearly reduced the arrears in added time of the first half when Elliot Embleton hit the crossbar from just outside the area but France went into the interval two goals ahead.

Paul Simpson’s England side started the second half on top with chances falling to Japhet Tanganga and Marcus Tavernier but just eleven minutes into the half France increased their advantage.

Another couple of goals were added before England’s Marcus Tavernier finished off the best English move of the match but the late goal was ruled out due to offside.

As the defeat put pay to any opportunity of defending the title they won in Georgia in 2017, attention now turns to an U20 World Cup qualification play-off against Norway in Seinäjoki on Thursday.